Trust in the Lord

One of the most frequently quoted scriptures in general conference is this one, from the book of Proverbs:

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

The message is straightforward. It is also rich with implications. Consider some of the conclusions that general conference speakers have drawn from this passage:

1. It’s about the relationship: “A close and abiding relationship with the Father and the Son…makes all the difference…. No matter what our mortal experience may entail, we can trust God and find joy in Him.” (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Our Relationship with God,” April 2022).
2. Faith requires action: “A key component of trusting in the Lord is moving forward, believing He will guide us even when we don’t have all the answers” (Rebecca L. Craven, “Do What Mattereth Most,” April 2022).
3. We don’t have to face our challenges alone: “You may be facing overwhelming challenges. Sometimes they are so concentrated, so unrelenting, that you may feel they are beyond your capacity to control. Don’t face the world alone. ‘Trust in the Lord'” (Richard G. Scott, quoted by President Dallin H. Oaks in “Be of Good Cheer,” October 2020).
4. Be patient when there are things you don’t understand: “Trust in the Lord is a familiar and true teaching in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That was Joseph Smith’s teaching when the early Saints experienced severe persecutions and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. That is still the best principle we can use when our efforts to learn or our attempts to find comfort encounter obstacles in matters not yet revealed or not adopted as the official doctrine of the Church” (President Dallin H. Oaks, “Trust in the Lord,” October 2019).
5. Faith in God empowers us to act with confidence: “There is joy in imagining, learning, doing worthwhile new things. This is especially true as we deepen faith and trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We cannot love ourselves enough to save ourselves. But Heavenly Father loves us more and knows us better than we love or know ourselves. We can trust the Lord and lean not unto our own understanding” (“Our Campfire of Faith,” October 2018).
6. God will help us even with small things: “The Lord’s hand is guiding you. By ‘divine design,’ He is in the small details of your life as well as the major milestones. As it says in Proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; … and he shall direct thy paths” (Elder Ronald A. Rasband, “By Divine Design,” October 2017).

As Nephi struggled with self-doubt, he recommitted to rely on God instead of trying to solve his problems on his own. The following passage is similar to the Proverbs passage quoted above:

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh.

2 Nephi 4:34-35

Today, I will trust in God and lean on Him. I will be grateful for my relationship with Him, which enables me to overcome doubts and move forward with courage. I will seek His help with the challenges I face, knowing that I don’t have to face them alone. I will strive to follow His direction and take positive action, knowing that I can be successful with His help.